Seplat Energy Joint Venture has launched its annual Eye Can See Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, aimed at providing eye care, visual aid, and surgical treatment for eye problems in Edo and Delta states. The program also includes lectures on overall well-being and addresses health challenges such as hypertension and diabetes, contributing to the United Nations’ SDG 3 on Good Health and well-being. The Eye Can See program has impacted many lives over the years, screening over 96,000 patients, providing 45,000 reading glasses, and performing over 4,000 surgeries. The 2023 edition will benefit 90 communities across the two states.
The opening ceremony of this year’s Eye Can See Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Seplat Energy JV was held on June 16, 2023, at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, Edo State. The program aims to provide eye care, visual aid, and surgical treatment for Cataracts, Glaucoma, and other eye problems in NNPC E & P Limited/Seplat Energy operational communities in Edo and Delta states. It also includes lectures on achieving overall well-being and addressing health challenges like hypertension and diabetes for men, women, and children, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 3 on Good Health and well-being.
The Eye Can See programme has additional objectives of providing free optical treatment to community members, reducing cases of permanent vision loss, offering free reading glasses and treatment for related eye issues, educating patients on proper eye care and disease detection, and promoting lifestyle changes to reduce hypertension and diabetes rates.
Speaking during the programme, the Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Chioma Afe, said that the Seplat/ NNPC E&P Eye Can See CSR programme is designed to ensure the provision of eye care, visual aid and surgical treatment for different eye problems within the Joint Venture (JV) operational communities, adding that the initiative also provides lectures on ways to ensure total well- being when faced with health challenges such as hypertension and diabetes.
Afe explained: “The programme aligns with the pursuit of good health and well-being which is what the UN Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 3 is all about; that is to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of all at all ages.
“Since the inception of the programme in 2012, the lives of many in our host communities and other areas have been richly impacted. A total of 96,411 patients have been screened; 45,074 reading glasses have been dispensed; and 4,218 surgeries performed. And the 2023 edition, which is being flagged off at the Oba’s Palace Benin today, will further boost these numbers. About 90 communities will be served using 13 centers across Edo and Delta states.”
In his remarks, the Director, New Energy, Seplat Energy, Effiong Okon, expressed gratitude to NNPC E&P Limited and other stakeholders involved in making the initiative a success. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the Palace, the government of Edo and Delta states, and NNPC E&P Limited for their unwavering support. Their collaboration has been instrumental in ensuring the success of the ‘Eye Can See’ Initiative over the years,” Okon said.
He added that Seplat Energy and its partners will continue to work to boost the impacts of the programme leveraging relevant technologies and other resources whilst appealing to the company’s host communities to always support its operations. “As you know, at Seplat Energy, we are purpose-driven, we are here to serve and to give back to society. And on that note, please we will like to continue to bank on your support going forward as you’ve always done. We anticipate that this intervention will continue and even outlive all of us.”
Whilst delivering his goodwill message, the Oba of Benin, represented by Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, also appreciated Seplat Energy and partners for their consistent delivery of the programme over the years.
“We thank Seplat Energy for the constant featuring of this Eye Can See programme, which has tremendously helped my people. We can only urge you to continue in this light,” the Oba said.
The Eye Can See initiative has successfully fulfilled its initial commitment to offer expert medical care to the local communities. It has established a system for managing and directing patients with hypertension and diabetes, while also providing free optical treatment to all community members. The programme has significantly reduced the incidence of permanent vision loss, as well as offering complimentary reading glasses and other treatments for eye-related conditions. Furthermore, the programme strives to educate patients on the importance of taking care of their eyes and detecting the onset of Cataracts and Glaucoma. Additionally, the initiative seeks to promote healthy lifestyle changes that can help reduce the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in the community.
IMAGE: Nairametrics.com
